A Health Literacy-Focused Intervention for Latinos with Hypertension

Abstract

Latinos in the United States are experiencing increasing incidences of uncontrolled high blood pressure (HBP). Health literacy is an important determinant of adequate HBP self-management, yet no community-based intervention has effectively addressed health literacy in the management of HBP in the target community. The purpose of this study was to test the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a health literacy-focused HBP intervention in Spanish-speaking Latinos with uncontrolled HBP. Using a one-group pre- and post-test study design, the study intervention was delivered to Spanish-speaking Latinos in Baltimore, MD, who had uncontrolled HBP. The intervention consisted of four weekly group sessions for health literacy training combined with disease knowledge education in HBP management, followed by phone counseling and text messages for 3 months. Seventeen participants received the study intervention. Eleven who completed the follow-up assessment at 16 weeks reported high satisfaction with the intervention. Participation in the intervention resulted in improved blood pressure, numeracy, and psychological outcomes. Our findings support health literacy education as a promising avenue in promoting HBP control among inner-city Spanish-speaking Latinos. [ HLRP: Health Literacy Research and Practice . 2018;2(1):e21–e25.]

Efficacy of Mobile Health for Self-management of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

“…Quantitative (n = 25): randomized controlled trials (n = 19) 13 – 15 , 18 , 20 – 26 , 28 – 31 , 33 , 38 – 40 and quasi-experimental studies (n = 6) 16 , 17 , 27 , 32 , 34 , 35 …”

“…Six studies were conducted in urban settings 13 , 26 , 27 , 29 , 32 , 35 ; and one, in a rural setting. 35 Participants were recruited from large academic medical centers (n = 8), 14 , 15 , 17 , 30 , 31 , 33 , 39 , 40 primary care and outpatient clinics (n = 13), 19 – 26 , 28 , 35 – 37 , 39 cardiac rehabilitation (n = 1), 18 churches (n = 3), 13 , 16 , 38 and an online community (n = 1).…”

“… 35 Participants were recruited from large academic medical centers (n = 8), 14 , 15 , 17 , 30 , 31 , 33 , 39 , 40 primary care and outpatient clinics (n = 13), 19 – 26 , 28 , 35 – 37 , 39 cardiac rehabilitation (n = 1), 18 churches (n = 3), 13 , 16 , 38 and an online community (n = 1). 34 Clinical conditions contributing to cardiovascular diseases included general cardiac risk factors (n = 5), 13 , 16 – 18 , 25 , 29 hypertension (n = 9), 22 , 27 , 28 , 30 , 31 , 35 , 37 – 39 coronary heart disease (n = 2), 28 , 33 congestive heart failure (n = 2), 19 , 20 diabetes (n = 11), 14 , 17 , 20 – 23 , 25 , 26 , 28 , 34 , 35 kidney disease (n = 1), 36 and obesity/overweight (n = 6). 23 – 25 , 32 , 34 , 40 All of the studies included participants 18 years and older, with an age range of 26 to 65 years.…”

“… 14 , 21 , 22 In terms of ethnicity, 24 studies had a heterogeneous sample of ethnic minorities with the exception of a few that sampled only white (n = 1), 32 black (n = 3), 13 , 16 , 39 or Hispanic/Latino (n = 1) participants. 27 Overall, 8 studies culturally tailored their intervention to vulnerable groups. 13 , 16 , 20 , 25 , 27 , 37 – 39 …”

“… 27 Overall, 8 studies culturally tailored their intervention to vulnerable groups. 13 , 16 , 20 , 25 , 27 , 37 – 39 …”